Palo Duro HS Class of 70: Coaches

Coach Kirk First Season at Palo Duro 9/5/67

This will be the first season for Coach Kirk and his staff. He came to Palo Duro from Littlefield, Texas, where he was named "Coach of the Year." Those who accompanied him from Littlefield are Coaches Fred Walker, Jack Moss, and John Wilkins. The rest of the staff is made up of Coaches Frantz Myatt, Bob Shields, Bill McElduff, and a new coach from Carver, Roger Scott.

Coach Kirk and Staff 9/3/68

Coach George Kirk has two new additions to his staff this year. The first on was Coach John O'Hara, as a new assistant coach, from Mangum, Oklahoma and the "Doc," John McConnell from Atkison, Kansas.

Coach John O'Hara 9/27/68

Coach John O'Hara was born and raised in Elk City, Oklahoma where he was named to the All-State High School football team. O'Hara briefly attended OU but graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State with a Bachelor of Science degree. As a senior he was the class president. He played baseball and football and acquired an All-Conference rating in both. While at Panhandle State he was awarded an honorable mention as an All-American candidate in football. Coach O'Hara praised Palo Duro both the team and coaches by stating that the football team is great, and the coaches are the greatest guys he has ever worked with. O'Hara is married and has one son.

John "Doc" McConnell

John "Doc" McConnell is the Don's new "Mr. fix-it man." He attended Emporia State College in Kansas before taking his first teaching job here at Palo Duro. Doc is an ice hockey enthusiast and is awaiting Amarillo's debut into the sport.

Coach James, Gravitt and Doc Alfona 8/28/69

Coach Doug James...

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Coach Burt Gravitt

Coach Burt Gravitt replaces Fred Walker this year and will help coach the backfield. Coach Gravitt was born in Denver City and graduated from North Eastern State. This will be his fourth year in coaching. He coached high school in Santa Anna, Texas. He then went to Travis Junior high before coming to Palo Duro. Coach Gravitt's other duties at Palo Duro will be teaching American and World History.

Bill Alfona

Bill Alfona will be the new trainer at Palo Duro and will also teach American History. Mr. Alfona was born in Temple, Texas and just graduated from North Texas Sate University.

Coach George Kirk 11/7/69

Coach George Kirk has provided Palo Duro with two of the best football teams in the history of the school.

Kirk participated in high school football, basketball, and track for three years in his hometown of Littlefield, Texas. While there, he was named to the all-district squad at the offensive center and defensive end positions.

After high school, Coach Kirk attended Texas Christian University where he obtained his Bachelors of Science and Education degrees. He played two years of collegiate football at line backer and offensive center. He later received a Masters degree from Baylor University.

After his Junior year of college he put in a four year tour of duty with the Air Force. However, his life in football never ceased, as he put in three years on the Air Forces' football squad. He played as a quarterback and line backer.

Following his years in college and in the Air Force, Coach Kirk became an assistant coach at Diamond Hill high school in Fort Worth and later at Temple Tx High School. His head coaching career began with a three year stay at Cameron TX High School near Temple. From there, he was head coach for one year in Littlefield before coming on to Palo Duro in 1967.

During a leave from Air Force service, Coach Kirk became acquainted with Barbara Stevens, who later became his wife. They have one daughter, Renae, who is a senior this year at Palo Duro.

Doc Alfona No Stranger to Palo Duro 11/7/69

Bill Alfona has come to Palo Duro to take over the job as Trainer for Palo Duro's sports department. Before attending North Texas State "Doc" went to Temple Junior College, where he played football and was elected Vice-President of the college council. While attending North Texas State for three years Mr. Alfona served as student trainer under Mr. T. C. Cox, a former trainer at Palo Duro.

Helping Mr. Alfona are four young men: Randy Talley, senior; Paul Nelson and Dwight Austin, juniors; and Walter Skinner, sophomore.

Bill Alfona is no stranger to one of the coaches. In fact head coach George Kirk coached Mr. AJfona in high school at Temple Texas. When asked what he feels about Palo Duro, Mr. Alfona replied "I really like it here at Palo Duro, the administration and I believe Palo Duro has one of the finest coaching staffs in the state." Besides being trainer, Mr. Alfona has a sophomore homeroom and teaches three classes of American History.

Palo Duro Earns Various Honors 11/21/69

Palo Duro's Coach George Kirk addresses students at the pep rally. before the Dons 35-7 victory over the Sandies. This victory enabled the Dons to claim the District Title. After years of growth, Palo Duro has finally blossomed into the beautiful school it is today. Palo Duro now has state-wide prominence. This "fresh start" began last year. For the first time since 1955, when the basketball team won the state championship, Palo Duro showed real strength in sports. Last year's football team posted one of the best seasons Palo Duro has ever had. The track team won every meet they entered, including the district and regional meets. We advanced in other areas. The choir, annual, and newspaper all received 1 ratings in UIL (University Interscholastic League) competition. The speech team brought home several firsts from their numerous contests. This advance is continuing this year. This year's football team is the greatest ever. The choir has shown its excellence through its musical.

Dons Of '69 Bring Home The Bell 12/5/59

"This is the year of the Dons!" The football team has proved this by bringing the coveted victory bell to the corridors of Palo Duro. The bell has reigned in Tascosa High School for three consecutive years as they held the District title, but now the tides have changed in favor of the mighty blue and white. Never before during PD's 15-year history has this been accomplished. This goes to prove that the Dons are determined to stay on top. The bell was a bit tarnished, but thanks to the boys in the metal and auto body shops, the bell shines brilliantly with PD pride. So, down the corridors of time, Dons will forever strive for higher goals in the future for the betterment of Palo Duro and fellow Dons.

Frontz Myatt, assistant football coach 1/30/70

Frontz Myatt is head track coach at Palo Duro and an assistant football coach. He was recently honored in the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding record last year. Myatt came to Palo Duro in 1959 from McMurray College where he was a sprinter. He had outstanding times of 9.6 in the 100-yard dash, and 21.0 in the 220-yard dash.

This was the third time he has been honored in the "Hall". Last year PD took the District 4-AAAA title for the 1st time in its track history and went on to capture the Regional title.

An Abilene native, Myatt served two and a half years in the military during World War II before coming to McMurry. He ran track four years and played football three years.

His track teammates elected him captain in 1949. He held a school record of 21.0 in the 220-yard dash which stood for many years. At one Texas Conference meet, he competed in five separate races.

On the football field, Myatt was a member of three (48-49-50) Texas Conference championship teams and played in the Pecan Bowl (Abilene) and Oleander Bowl (Corpus Christi). In a 1950 game against Tulsa, he made several long runs and had three interceptions.

He coached district championship track teams at Stamford and Beaumont before becoming a coach at Amarillo Palo Duro H.S. in 1959. In 12 years, his team won 10 district and two regional track championships. He is active in the Texas High School Coaches Association and has written several articles for Texas Coach magazine. He and his wife Gay have five children two grandchildren.